Rocket Day

April 16, 2023  |  3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Rice University - Intramural Field #6
(East of Tudor Fieldhouse)
29.714702, -95.402518

Rocket Day / Space Exploration Day is an event for Scouts of all ages. The Rice University Rocketry Club (Eclipse) will be present for the event to share their experience and knowledge about rocketry. There is no charge for the event, but there is a parking fee.

Bring a friend to join Scouting; they can receive a rocket onsite!

Registration     What to Bring     Parking



 

New Cub Scouts
(joined since Oct 2022)

New Cub Scouts who have joined Scouting since October 2022  will receive a rocket that they can design, build, and launch at Rocket Day.  Youth in kindergarten through fifth grade who are interested in joining Scouting may also attend; the membership committee will help you find a pack near you and get signed up for Scouting. 

Returning Cub Scouts 

Returning Cub Scouts can bring their own rocket to launch. The rocket must be a skill level 0 to 2 and the engine must be an A or B class engine. Rockets should not exceed 22 inches in length

Scouts BSA / Venturing /
Sea Scouts

Scouts in troops, crews and ships can volunteer or work on requirement #3 for the Space Exploration Merit Badge (Bring your Blue Cards!). Scouts working on the merit badge should bring their own rockets. The rocket must be a skill level 0 to 2 and the engine must be an A or B class engine. Rockets should not exceed 22 inches in length.

Volunteers

Adult and youth (Scouts BSA/Venturing) volunteers are needed to help with the event. Please sign up via the registration page. Contact ryan.a.hammer@gmail.com or kyle.verret@gmail.com with questions about the event. 

Registration

The Rocket Day event is free; please RSVP so we can make sure we have enough volunteers and launchers for all participants.

Step 1; RSVP for Launch & STEM Day           Event Feedback    

Parking

Parking for Rocket Day is available at West Lot 4 (University Blvd & Loop Rd) for $12 or Greenbriar Lot (enter off Greenbriar Dr or Rice Blvd) for $3.

Map to Rocket Day Field (Intramural Field #6)    

What to Bring

  • Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A & B for all Scouting events) for every participant*
  • New Scouts: Rocket that you received from your pack leader (with the Scout's name on it). Scouts may decorate their rockets with stickers or markers, but no additional weight should be added. View the rocket prep video.
  • Returning Scouts can bring their own rocket and engineSee details below.
  • Closed-toed shoes good for running^

Optional:

  • Snacks
  • Water bottle
  • Camp chair
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Extra engine (rockets can be shot more than once if time allows)

*Medical Record: We require all participants to bring an Annual Health and Medical Record to every Scouting event. The Scouting adventures, camping trips, and having fun are important to everyone in Scouting—and so is your safety and well-being. Completing the Annual Health and Medical Record is the first step in making sure you have a great Scouting experience. Completing a health history promotes health awareness, collects necessary data, and provides medical professionals critical information needed to treat a patient in the event of an illness or injury. It also provides emergency contact information. Please download the form and have the form with you at all Scouting events for every member of your family. 

^Closed toed shoes are highly recommended for all Scouting events. Many of our outdoor venues have snakes and sticks that can injure toes. Many of our activities include active games, so shoes that Scouts can run in (e.g., tennis shoes) are recommended.




Rockets 

Returning Cub Scouts and Scouts in troops, crews and ships may bring rockets. The rocket must be a skill level 0 to 2 and the engine must be an A or B class engine. Rockets should not exceed 22 inches in length

Packs may purchase additional rockets for returning Scouts in bulk from the local Scout Shop.  Allow two weeks for delivery.

Individuals may purchase additional rockets and motor engines at the local Scout Shop or Hobby Lobby

If Scouts bring their own rocket(s), the rocket should be built prior to arrival at the launch site and they must provide their own appropriate class A or B rocket engine. Remember that only adults are allowed to handle the engines.  Ensure that you review the rocket kit instructions and select the recommended engine size. 

Watch this video for a very good briefing on prepping rockets prior to launch:  https://youtu.be/hC6evC1N05c.

Rocket Launch Safety

The safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees is an important part of the Scouting experience. 

Only adults are allowed to handle or load rocket motors. Adults should always closely supervise ALL rocketry building, launching, and recovery activities.

National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Safety Code and other safety guidelines will be followed: 

  • Launch safety – countdowns, 15-foot safety circle
  • Launchers – End of launch rod must be above eye level.
  • Launch site – 200-foot open area required for a type B engine; monitor wind and dry grass conditions
  • Every rocket should be safety inspected prior to launch.
  • If a rocket misfires or does not launch, be sure to wait a minimum of 30 seconds before approaching it.
  • Lightning, winds, or any adverse weather should immediately stop the launch.
  • Recovery safety – Do not attempt recovery from power lines, tall trees, etc.
  • In case of inclement weather, the launch will be rescheduled.

 




Photographs    

Notice!  Please be advised that promotional videotaping/photography may be in progress at any time at an event. Your entrance constitutes your agreement that the council and district has the right to reproduce your likeness in videography/photography for promotion (e.g., publications, internet, newspaper).

Communications

SHAC Facebook logoJoin our council Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shac.bsa.

Scouting Safely

Safety is Your Responsibility posterThe BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. BSA Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed and all participants must follow youth protection guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:

  • Two-deep leadership on all outings required.  
  • No one-on-one contact between adults and youth members. 
  • The buddy system should be used at all times. 
  • Discipline must be constructive.

Youth Protection Guidelines     Guide to Safe Scouting     Enterprise Risk Management

Contacts

For questions, contact Ken Coons or the activities chair.